Useful replacements
The FA Cup got under way, taking advantage of a lull in league games. Inas Mazhar reports on a substitute tournament
Ahli, the top football club in the league, made the transition to the FA Cup smoothly enough. Against Olympi, a second division side, Ahli won 6-1 on aggregate, 1-0 in Cairo after which they ran riot, administering a 5-0 drubbing in Alexandria. Ahli's failure at defending their African Champions League crown have made them play with a vengeance and the next opponent to feel the heat in round 16 is Tanta.
Defending league champions Ismaili did not have it so easy, scraping by second division Suhag. Ismaili had drawn 1-1 with the Upper Egyptian team in Ismaili in the first leg but a 2-1 victory secured Ismaili a berth in round 16 against Damietta.
Damietta pulled off the biggest upset so far, disposing of Aswan, the only first division side to be eliminated by a second division team.
Benha came close to springing the biggest surprise of the competition when they led against Zamalek in the dying minutes, only to lose a heartbreaker.
The Delta team had held Zamalek, the newly-crowned African Champions League winners, to a scoreless draw and were ahead 2-1 in the second leg with just 10 minutes remaining before super striker Hossam Hassan levelled and Walid Abdel-Latif struck the winner. The African champions will meet Mehalla in the second round.
Despite modest league results, Ittihad of Alexandria tasted rare victory after a 1-0 win in the return match against Beni Ebeid. Ittihad now face the Border Guards who trampled over the Communications Club of Alexandra 5-2 and 5-1.
Mehalla beat Shams 1-0 after a scoreless draw in the first leg. Koroum of Alexandria also entered the second round with a 2-1 victory over Sharqia after a first leg scoreless draw. Koroum take on Goldi in the second round.
Mansoura blew away neighbours Besouq 5-0 after a 0-0 first round match. Mansoura are to meet Tersana.
Goldi also booked a place in round 16 with a 2-0 victory over Menouf, padding their 1-0 win in the first leg encounter.
The Arab Contractors joined the same round with a 1-0 win over the Communications team and will take on Enpi, the surprise package of the league. Enpi, in second place on the table, qualified after two impressive wins, 4-1 and 3-0, over Sekka Hadid.
Despite a 1-1 draw, Tanta beat Damanhour following a 3-0 victory in the first game. Tersana triumphed over Abou Kebeir 2-1 despite the absence of nine key players either through suspension or injury.
Beladayet Mehalla knocked out Menis El-Nasr 4-1 in the first leg and won the second automatically when their opponent pulled out.
